Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
745. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to decrease the waiting list of people receiving their citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4221/26]
View answerI am aware that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted, that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
My Department has taken a significant number of steps to speed the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times.
The length of time taken to process a naturalisation application has dropped from 15 months in 2023, to 8 months in 2024. Statistics in relation to 2025 are still being calculated.
My Department held 25 ceremonies in 2025 and 24 ceremonies in 2024, an increase from the 15 ceremonies held in 2023, and the 6 that were held in 2022.
It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service.
For that reason, while, I expect that going forward, that most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year.
